On Sunday, as former President Donald Trump reacted to Joe Biden's unexpected decision to withdraw from the 2024 presidential race, his sentiment was a fiery mixture of contempt and triumph. Biden's retreat, stemming from a string of blunders, an abysmal debate performance on June 27, and the clamoring calls from politicians and even luminaries like George Clooney, struck a nerve in Trump's resolute heart.
"Crooked Joe Biden," Trump fumed on Truth Social, "was never suited for the presidency, nor will he ever be! He usurped the office through lies, Fake News, and his basement-dwelling antics. Everyone around him, from his doctors to the media, knew he lacked the capability, and indeed, he failed miserably. Look at the havoc he's wrought on our nation, with millions of unchecked immigrants flooding our borders, many from prisons, mental institutions, and an alarming influx of terrorists. His presidency will be a heavy burden, but we shall swiftly reverse the damage. Together, we will MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!"
Biden's announcement that he would forego a reelection bid followed a wave of criticism, stemming from his faltering CNN debate performance where he struggled to counter Trump's arguments, often losing his footing and fumbling his words. Democratic figures and Hollywood donors alike had been urging him to reassess. As Owen Gleiberman of Variety pondered the Democrats' future after that tumultuous night, he noted, "It cannot be overstated: Donald Trump, sticking to a moderate script and deflecting questions like a seasoned attorney on election results, tonight made himself seem more viable than reckless. Whoever steps up as the Democratic candidate, Biden or someone else, will have a daunting task of reversing that narrative."
